SENATOR Camille Villar has called for stronger mental health programs and coordinated efforts to protect students following the fatal shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, which left three students dead and several others injured.

Villar expressed deep sorrow over the loss of young lives and extended her condolences to the victims’ families, injured students, teachers, and the broader Tacloban community.

“As a mother and as a senator, I am deeply heartbroken by this tragedy. No parent should ever have to receive the devastating news that a child who left home for school will never return,” Villar said.

While supporting ongoing efforts to determine the circumstances of the incident, the senator stressed that the tragedy should serve as a wake-up call to strengthen measures that ensure student safety inside schools.

Villar underscored the importance of addressing mental health challenges among young Filipinos, noting that emotional distress, social pressures, bullying, and other psychological concerns often go unnoticed until they escalate into serious problems.

She called on the Department of Education, local government units, law enforcement agencies, and school officials to strengthen counseling services, anti-bullying programs, and early intervention initiatives for at-risk youth.

According to Villar, protecting children requires a coordinated approach involving schools, communities, local governments, and national agencies.

“The protection of our children cannot be the responsibility of one institution alone. It requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-community approach,” she said.

The senator also cited her proposed Senate Bill No. 1760, which seeks to institutionalize the appointment of a Mental Health Officer in every city and municipality. The measure aims to improve access to community-based mental health services nationwide.

Villar said the Tacloban shooting highlights the need to revisit existing policies on school safety, youth intervention programs, anti-bullying measures, and mental health services. She added that lawmakers should also consider further reforms to strengthen protection mechanisms for students.

She emphasized that schools must remain safe spaces where children can learn and grow without fear, adding that the loss of young lives should prompt urgent and collective action from government leaders, educators, parents, and communities.

“The loss of even one young life is already one too many. We cannot allow violence to take away the future of our children,” Villar said.